ASIATODAY.ID, MOSCOW – China sharply increased its purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) throughout 2025, underscoring a major shift in global energy flows toward Asia as Moscow faces continued Western sanctions.
According to Chinese customs data cited by RIA Novosti, China imported 9.8 million tons of Russian LNG in 2025, up 18.3% year-on-year.
The surge peaked in December, when imports jumped to a record 1.9 million tons, marking a 114.6% increase compared to the same month in 2024.
The data also show that in October 2025, Russia became China’s second-largest LNG supplier, overtaking Australia and trailing only Qatar.
When pipeline and liquefied supplies are combined, total Russian gas deliveries to China reached 5.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) in November 2025, up 33% from a year earlier.
Arctic LNG Emerges as Russia’s Strategic Lifeline
The rapid growth in exports has been driven by expanded seaborne shipments from Russia’s Arctic and Far Eastern projects, including Yamal LNG, Arctic LNG 2, and Sakhalin-2.
During the summer navigation season, cargoes are shipped via the Northern Sea Route, while longer southern routes are used in winter. The Arctic corridor has become a key workaround as Western sanctions restrict Russia’s access to traditional energy markets.
Russia Pivots Away from Europe, Doubles Down on Asia
The surge in gas deliveries highlights Moscow’s accelerating pivot toward Asia following the sharp reduction of pipeline gas exports to the European Union since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Russia also supplies gas to China through the Power of Siberia pipeline, which began operations in 2019 and reached full capacity in December 2024.
Meanwhile, Moscow and Beijing are advancing plans for the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline via Mongolia. President Vladimir Putin has said that, once existing and future pipelines are combined, Russian gas deliveries to China could exceed 100 bcm per year.
A New Energy Geopolitical Reality
The rapid expansion of Russian gas exports to China signals a deepening energy alliance between Moscow and Beijing.
As Europe reduces its dependence on Russian energy, China is emerging as the cornerstone of Russia’s long-term gas strategy, reshaping the balance of power in the global energy market. (RT)
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